Reid Won't Negotiate Deal While Gov't Partly Closed

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Democrats will not negotiate with Republican lawmakers as long as the government is still partially closed.

Reid spoke to reporters following a meeting on Thursday with President Barack Obama at the White House that lasted nearly two hours. Reid says Senate Democrats want the government open and want the nation to be able to pay its bills.

Earlier Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner (BAY'-nur) proposed a short-term increase in the federal debt limit if Obama agrees to negotiate with Republicans on a broader budget deal. But the Boehner proposal would not end the government shutdown.

When asked whether he would negotiate with Republicans while the government is closed, Reid said it's "not going to happen."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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House Speaker John Boehner says Republicans will advance legislation to temporarily extend the government's ability to borrow to meet its obligations.

Boehner said the measure would advance if President Barack Obama agrees to negotiate over reopening the government and to "start to deal with America's pressing problems."

Obama has said consistently that Republicans must reopen the government and prevent the threat of a first-ever government default before he'll negotiate over the budget and other conditions Republicans have sought.

Boehner also said he would appoint House negotiators to try to sort out differences between vastly different House- and Senate-passed budget blueprints.

Boehner said: "It's time for leadership. It's time for these negotiations and this conversation to begin."

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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